Expansible bracelet



May 24. 1927.

J. SMITH, JR

EXPANSIBLE BRACELET Filed March 20.

lllll A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 24, 1927.

iunirsi)vv STATES PATENT `oifiici..l

JOHN SMITH, JR., 0F NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS,*SSIGNORFTO J. J. SOM-` MER & C0., A FIRM COMPRISING JOI-IN J. SOMMER AND EDMOND T. SOMMER, BOTH OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, COPARTNERS. i

EXVPANSIBLE BRACELET.

Application led March 20, 1926. Serial No. 96,184.

This invention relates tov an improved construction of bracelet or chain formed of Y aV plurality of links flexibly and detachably connectedytogether; and the object of this invention is the construction of such' a bracelet or chain having links mounted to telescope one within the other to render the same extensible in the direction of their length and adapted to be separated for the purpose of adding toy orremoving one or more links freniA the chain to adjust its operating length.

"A further object of this invention is to constructa series of outer or box links with a slide link in each of these box-shaped links and to connect oney end .of the slide link to the next adjacent box link by means of a pin,` the pin being so mounted as' to permitl the links to be readily connected to and disconnected from each other.

A further object of ythe invention is the provision of a spring for pressing the connecting pivot pin to its opera-ting position, whereby this pin may be readily forced backagainst the spring tension to permit the` readydisconnecting of one link from the other. y

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully .de-

scribedfand particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a perspective View partly` broken away to illustrate two box links connected b y a slide link the latter being extended, one end of the slidelink being pivotally connected by a lpin to the next adjacent box link. f

Figure 2 .shows ablank as out from sheet stock adapted to be folded into a band shaped slide link.

Figure 3 shows the slide link as folded into band shape from the blank.

Figure 4 is a sectional edge elevation of the band link shown' in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a blank cut from sheet 'stock adapted Vto be folded to forni an outer box link.

Figure G shows this blank as folded into box form.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Figure l, showing the spring pressed pin and .so disconnect one from as detachably connecting the box link and a band link together'.

Figure 8 is a sectional top view illustrating the spring pressed pin as'connecting the` Figure 9 is a central sectional side eleva- *i tion of the parts shown in Figure 8.

Figure l0 is a sectional elevation showing the band link as Iextending from *its box link with the spring ltherein being coinpressed. v

`Figure l1 is a sectional top view showing the connecting pinpas having been partially removed and illustrating the vnext adjacent box link as having one edge positioned over one end of the pin and about to be swung around into alignment to be engaged by the opposite end of the pinto connect the two links together. 1

It is found in the practical construction and operation of bracelets of this character, of advantage to provide a bracelet with inner and outer links, the inner link being preferably in band forni and adapted toA slide in the outer link and to provide simple and eective means by which these links may be Vconnected to and disconnected from each other; `also to so construct the links as to permit them to be swung relatively ini them together and the pin being pressed to its operating position by a spring whereby y it may be depressed from this position by va small instrument to permit the connecting links to be swung around at an angle y A` the other, whereby some of the links may be removed to shorten thev bracelet, or others inserted if desired to increase theV working ylength thereof; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of my invention and showing one construction of bracelet by which these advantageous results may be accomplished With reference to the drawings, l0 designatos the outer box links which arepret'erably formed from sheet stock, the blank of .which is best shown in Figure 5, which may be bent or folded into box shape, the' side walls 13 at one end ot this link being: providedy with ears 11 which are pierced as at 12. The opposite ends of these box links being` undercut as at 141 to receive the ears 11 of the next adjacent box.y

In order to provide a practical, connecting link 16 which is slidably mounted in each box link, I have formed the sameV from a strip oli sheet metal 15 and have folded'the same into band shape, as best illustrated in Figure 3, the opposite ends being provided with a tongue 1T and a slot 18.to fit one within the other to retain these ends in alignment. One end of this band is preferably provided with short, side ears or plates 19 which are pierced as at Q9 to receive the pivot pin presently described.

In assembling the bracelet or chain the inner slide link is positioned in its outer box link, a spring tension coil 2O being positioned in the slide link andan abutment pin 21 is passed through the box link against which one end of this spring Q0 rests yvliile its opposite end engages the opposite endl Wall 21 ot the band slide link to press the same tovards contracted position.

In order to connect the opposite end ot' this band link to the adjacent end o` the next box link, I have mounted a pivot pin 2Q in the end of this band link to cause its opposite ends to extend through the ears or walls 19.011' this band, the pin beingprovided with a shoulder 23 against which oneV end ot' the spring 24e rests, the opposite end of the spring engaging the inner surface of the opposite ear 19 to press this pivot pin to its operating position causing its end 25 to extend through the opening 12 in the ear 11 ot' the box link. IVhen it is desired to disconnect ihe box link trom the band link, it is only necessary toemploy a pin 2G, as best illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1'1, to press this end Q5' inwardly, then by swinging the box link around at an angle to the band link it may be removed from this depressed end of the pin, after which it may be moved laterally oit` ot the opposite1 end.

ol the pin to separate the tivo members, and the reverse movements being employed to connect these links together.

My improved' bracelet is very simple to construct and'is practical in` its operation; its links may be readily disconnected toremove or insert one or more links to or from the chain for adjusting its operating length, and by connecting the links together by a pivot pin which passes through the ears at a point near the inner edge thereof, the links are very fiexible and may be swung Vinwardly at a sharp angle to cach other.

The foregoingdescription is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms o-t' the appended claims.

Y I claim.

1'.. An extensible chain structure comprising a series of box links, a slide link in each box link, and a pin mounted in said slide link tor 'free endn'ays movement, the ends ol' said pin heilig detachably and pivotally connected to one end oi the nextl adjacent box link and means lor retaining said pin in position to connect the box link. n 2. An extensible chain structure comprising box in said slide linkv with its ends detachably and pivotally connectedto-one endet the next adjacent box link, and a spring retaining said pin in operating position and permitting the same to be yieldingly moved end- Ways to detach it from the box link.

3. An extensible chainy structure comprising a series of box links, a band-shaped slide link in eachbox link, one end ot said band link having pierced' side wall portions, and a pin freely movable cndways through the piercing in said wall portions into engagement with the Walls of the box link to pivotall'y connect the two links together, and means caried by the pin between said' wall portions to engage therewith and normally retaining said pin in position` to connect the box link.

4'. An extensible chain structure comprising a series ot' box links, a band-shaped slide link in eachv box link, one end oi said band link having pierced side wall portions, and a pin extending through said walls into engagement with the walls of the box link to pivotvally connect the two links together said pin being yicldably mounted to disconnect said links when desired 5. An extensible chain structure comprisinga series ot' box links, a. bami-shaped slide link in each box link, interengaging pierced earson both of said links, a pin extending through the piercings in said ears pivotally connecting one end ot the slide link with the next adjacent box link, and a spring ior yieldingly retaining said pin in operating position.

In testimony whereofl I aiiix my signature.

JOHN SMITH', Jn.

a series ot box links, a: slide link in each, link, a Apm endways' movably mounted loo 

